From where he's sitting in Columbus, OH, the uproar over the National Church Residences senior living complex on Telegraph Road is surprising to say the least, says senior project manager Eric Walker.
"We've never had this kind of uproar," said Walker. "They just aren't clear on what we're doing. They saw HUD (Housing and Urban Development), and they kind of freaked out."
Walker started working on this project in 2011, applying to the HUD 202 Capital Advance Program during its final round of funding before the program was eliminated in a round of federal budget cuts. The project won funding to build housing for seniors 62 years and older earning 50 percent or less here in South St. Louis County.
"This is to give these seniors, who are a little less fortunate, a nice place to live," Walker said. “Our focus has always been senior living.”
Before finalizing their plans to build in Oakville, the non-profit conducted market research on the neighborhood, Walker said. According to their research, the number of seniors between the ages of 65 and 74 living below 50 percent of the average income is expected to more-than-double, from 2,500 seniors in 2000 to 4,300 in 2015.
“With the housing in that area, still 2500 (low income senior) folks qualify with housing that’s just not available for them,” Walker said. “If we could build more we would.”
The location on Telegraph Road was particularly, with a high walkability score and access to businesses for seniors who likely don’t drive or have personal transportation. A St. Louis-based consultant with E.E. Smith & Co. tipped National Church Residences off to the spot.
For Karen Twinem, VP of communications and public relations for National Church Residences, the issue is personal. Her mother, like many seniors, is living on social security, and Twinem says she hopes her mother will move into the National Church senior living home in their neighborhood if the time comes.
"You guys were fortunate enough to get it," Twinem said about the project. "It's for seniors who have run out of money and are living on social security. They need this kind of help; that's why this is going to be such an asset to this kind of neighborhood."
Seniors who move into the three-story, 45-unit complex will put one-third of their income toward rent, up to $550, and government subsidy will offset the balance for the next 40 years, Walker said.
"This must stay affordable," Walker said. "This area has an aging population. This kind of housing is needed. We will be there 40 years as long as HUD doesn’t completely dissolve, and that’s not going to happen.”
The complex on Telegraph Road will house seniors only, not their families. Of National Church Residence’s 300+ homes around the country, less than 20 also house families. The typical National Church Residences resident is a 79-year-old woman.
"We're not building some low-end housing," Walker said. Twinem added, "I think the neighbors are going to be really happy. I hope everyone eill be able to eventually see that because we want to get along with our neighbors.”
National Church Residences was founded by a reverend and four Presbyterian churches, but the organization does not affiliate with a religion, and residents are not screened for religious preferences while applying.
Twinem says she’s already received calls from residents who want to apply for the housing.
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